亞裔反家庭暴力小組廿週年會 頒紙鶴感謝義工

亞裔反家庭暴力小組(ATASK)一月三十一日晚，以一場描述姊妹、家庭感情的舞台劇「你我你(You for Me For You)」，宣佈新增董事曹育倫，為該會慶祝成立廿週年拉開序幕。

      亞裔反家庭暴力小組當晚在舞台劇演出前，先簡短舉行了年會。董事長陳婉娉派發新鮮出爐的年報，宣佈在全球經濟不景當中，該機構幸運的仍能收支平衡，而且是麻州內唯一獲得聯邦「反暴力對待婦女」資助三項計劃的機構，提供特定文化服務、促使男人加入反家庭暴力行列、建過渡屋。

      根據ATASK的年報，在2011年七月到2012年六月的會計年度期間，ATASK申請到的資助，獲得的捐款，以及辦活動的收入，共約一百六十一萬元。

      在這一年中間，ATASK為51人提供了3439晚的緊急庇護住所，透過一天廿四小時，一週七天的多語熱線，回應了990通求助、諮詢電話，幫助493人為未來的安全做計劃，找住房，獲得醫療保險，申請公共福利，找工作、尋求法律援助等等。

      ATASK還為34名家庭暴力倖存者改善英語、理財能力，學習維生技能。培訓了16名青少年，當小老師的為389名初中、高中生，提供了有關防止約會暴力、健康關係的知識教育。

      ATASK的個案管理服務，為六個家庭提供了過渡屋服務。

      陳婉娉表示，由於籌得足夠資金，該機構得以增聘人手，來為以華裔、柬埔寨、越南，以及南亞地區為主的有需要者，提供服務。

      陳婉娉強調，ATASK是個需要拿出心來的機構，她們很幸運的，不但工作人員都有關懷意識，很盡心盡力，就連該會董事、、義工，也全都不計較的奉獻心力。

      ATASK董事會主席Audrey Paek在年會中送出「榮譽紙鶴」，向第七號頻道電視台記者吳芝蘭，哈佛大學法學院首名亞裔女性終身教授Jeannie Suk等，對該會貢獻良多的董事、義工，表達感謝之意。

      ATASK還在會上宣佈，在現有的十名董事之外，亞美社區發展協會董事長暨新金融公司創辦人曹育倫，已接受邀請，即日起加入該機構董事會。

      一月三十一日晚，ATASK開完年會後，全體出席者在波士頓天滿街的波士頓藝術中心廣場劇場(Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre)，一起欣賞一公司(Company One)刻正演出的舞台劇「你我你(You for Me For You)」，並在演出結束後，由Jeannie Suk主持，和編劇Mia Chang，以及演員們互動。

      留在會場和編演人員互動的觀眾們，幾乎一致表示故事感人，無論是講姊妹、家庭之情，談饑餓，偷渡、逃亡，到置身截然不同世界的衝擊等，都讓不同背景的人找得到共鳴。

      在「你我你」一劇中軋一角，飾演人口走私販的曹育倫表示，這是齣極為少有，以韓裔為主題的舞台劇。參演此劇，讓他的人生體會更豐富。曹育倫也表示，ATASK的工作，幫助了許多女性重獲新生，有三個女兒的他，覺得ATASK的工作很有意義，因此決定調整自己的時間、精力，加入該機構董事會。

ATASK已排定的慶祝廿週年系列後續活動，現有訂五月十一日舉行的小鋼琴家黎卓宇與長木交響樂團合奏音樂會，十月十七日舉行的廿週年絲路嘉年華會。查詢詳情可上網www.atask.org。

圖片說明：

          ATASK董事長陳婉娉(右一起)邀請曹育倫加入ATASK董事會，和「你我你」編劇Mia Chung，座談主持Jeannie Suk，以及「你我你」演員們在演出後合影。(菊子攝)

          ATASK送給第七號頻道電視台記者吳芝蘭一隻紙鶴，感謝她對該機構的貢獻。(菊子攝)

波市府宣佈2013新春 街頭將有56輛食物卡車

其中一家賣亞裔食品的是Fugu。
在啟動網站Kickstarter上籌得一萬三千元，出售以有機水果打出來的果汁、冰沙，及點心的果汁媽( Mother Juice)，也是獲選的其中一輛食物卡車。

Earlier this month, the City of Boston held its annual food truck lottery, a process in which the Hub’s mobile vendors compete (in a friendly manner) for the most coveted spots around town. The results are in, and today the city announced the 2013 spring and summer food truck schedule.

The schedule goes into effect on April 2, 2013, and I’ll admit I spent a good five minutes planning out my lunches based on which trucks will be near my office during the week. Besides filling your own needs though, perhaps what’s most exciting to take away from this schedule is that there is now a huge variety of food trucks populating the Hub’s streets.

In total, there are 56 food trucks ready to hit the streets this spring, which is nearly four times the amount that started when the pilot program launched in 2011.

臉書可能欠你十塊錢

去年十月，臉書同意就整個'贊助的故事'問題，達成協議。臉書可能曾經在未經你同意下，使用了你對某個'贊助的故事'廣告按下的'讚'。臉書為此同意撥出二千萬元，付給權利受侵害者。

如果你收到一封看起來像垃圾郵件的'集體訴訟協議法律通知'，你就有機會獲得賠償。只要你上網填表，就有可能獲償十元。不過，如果有太多人填表，錢大概不夠分，整筆錢將轉交給非牟利機構。

由於臉書在美國就有一億五千萬用戶，撥供賠償的錢卻只有二千萬元，最後的結果，很可能是交給非牟利機構。

Does Facebook Owe You Money?

   Eric Limer

Generally, Facebook is making money off you (or at least trying) by collecting all your info and then parceling it all out for ads. But now the tables have turned, maybe kinda sorta. Thanks to an ongoing class action lawsuit, you may be entitled to up to 10 whole dollars from the social networking giant. Take that, Zuck!

In October, Facebook agreed to a settlement about this whole Sponsored Stories issue, wherein they may have used your likeness in a Sponsored Story ad without your permission. The settlement set aside $20 million for you poor, wronged souls, and now Facebook is starting to get ready to pay it out.

How do you know if you're included? Well, if you got a super-legal-y it-almost-looks-like-a-scam email from Facebook about "LEGAL NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION," you're in. All you have to do is file a claim form online, and you're signed up for a sweet $10 slice of that pie. Maybe. There is a catch. If too many people claim, and there's not enough money to go around, the whole chunk of change will go to a non-profit. And as Buzzfeed points out, there are 150 million Facebook users in the US and only $20 million to go around, so that's more than likely.

But hey, maybe you'll wind up getting cut a check from Facebook. There's only one way to find out. So make sure you check that old Hotmail account you used to sign up years and years ago. There could a shot at ten bucks sitting in there. [Buzzfeed]

派區克政府批准新能源計劃 約須投資27億元

BOSTON – February 1, 2013 – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan today announced that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) yesterday gave final approval to three-year plans that will commit the state’s investor-owned utilities and the Cape Light Compact to deliver more aggressive savings to customers, boost the economy and protect the environment. The plans will lead to net benefits of more than $6 billion over the lifetime of the measures implemented.

“These new three-year plans will continue our work toward a clean energy future,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Reducing energy costs for Massachusetts residents, our reliance on foreign sources of energy and our impact on the environment will serve the Commonwealth well for generations to come.”

The approval of the three-year plans expands the Commonwealth’s nation‑leading goals for electricity and natural gas savings from energy efficiency investments and marks another important step in helping the Commonwealth address vital energy issues. The plans call for $2.7 billion in investments that will result in nearly $9 billion in benefits over the life of the installed measures, with a benefit-to-cost ratio greater than three-to-one; for every dollar invested in energy efficiency, ratepayers will receive over three dollars in return over the lifetime of measures installed.

“Reducing our energy consumption will yield significant environmental benefits and help control high energy costs that burden families and businesses in Massachusetts,” Attorney General Martha Coakley said. “These energy efficiency programs are an important step in helping people reduce their energy consumption which can lead to lower bills and lower emissions from power plants.”  

“We are proud to lead the nation in energy efficiency and these plans will ensure that we maintain our spot and continue our clean energy revolution,” said Secretary Sullivan. “We are expanding the work we’ve done over the last three years to cut energy use, save money and reduce emissions across the Commonwealth.”

Following an exhaustive process led by EEA’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council unanimously approved the electric and natural gas utilities’ second three-year efficiency plans last fall, and the utilities filed them with the DPU on Nov. 2, 2012.

微軟推出新Office 2013

Microsoft Office 2013 Debuts on January 29

By: Shelly Palmer on 1.28.13

It’s finally official. Microsoft is launching the new Office, aka Office 2013, on January 29. There have been lots of rumors that January 29 would be the day that the latest version of Office would be generally available via retail channels. But thanks to a tweet from the Office team, and a #Timeto365 campaign/hashtag — which I saw via Winbeta.org — we now know Microsoft is “launching” the new Office on Tuesday in Bryant Park in New York City. (Thanks for the heads up, guys! Luckily, I live within walking distance.) Microsoft released Office 2013 to manufacturing on October 11, 2012. The company made the final bits available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers, as well as volume-licensing customers, before the end of last year. Recently, Microsoft made $10 versions of the final Office 2013 bits available to volume licensees with Software Assurance as part of its Home Use 

美可再生能源理事會讚揚卸任能源部長朱棣文

ACORE Praises the Extraordinary Tenure of Outgoing Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu

Washington, D.C.; February 1, 2013–The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) praises the superb work of outgoing Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu. Secretary Chu’s resignation was announced today, following four years of exceptional leadership at the Department of Energy that will serve many generations of Americans for decades to come. Notably, Secretary Chu oversaw the rapid expansion of renewable energy technology and deployment in the U.S., with nearly 85 gigawatts of installed renewable capacity by 2013.

“Secretary Chu led America forward toward a cleaner, more sustainable future powered by increasing amounts of renewable energy. His focus on innovation and objective scientific knowledge have encouraged the development of technologies that are even today delivering reliable, clean, and more affordable electricity to Americans,” said ACORE President, Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn. “Secretary Chu served our country in a manner that deserves the utmost respect. His vision of bringing more renewable energy online has directly benefited the American economy and environment, and set a sure course toward America’s clean energy future.”

Secretary Chu, who received his Ph.D. degree from Cornell University is also the 1997 winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics and, prior to his service at the Department of Energy (DOE), was the former Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. ACORE praises Secretary Chu’s intrepid vision at DOE and his ability to drive meaningful action and encourage significant growth for issues such as renewable energy installations, private investment in the clean tech sector and thousands of new green jobs throughout the U.S.

“If you look at the significant achievements during the Secretary’s tenure, you can’t help but be impressed that he’s done a remarkable job in moving us forward to a more secure and prosperous energy future,” said Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn. “Under Secretary Chu’s leadership America added over 42 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, providing enough new electricity to power 31 million homes, and nearly doubling the 2009 level from when he took office. Solar prices dropped significantly and wind energy is reaching levels competitive with natural gas. America is really turning the corner in developing a leading clean energy economy.”

During his tenure, Secretary Chu oversaw the expansion of solar jobs to nearly 120,000 across America, with strong growth expected to continue in 2013. His support for wind energy encouraged record development and, with 13,124 megawatts of turbines installed last year, wind energy beat natural gas to become the largest new source of power generation for the first time. These advancements provide important precedent for renewable energy development in the future and Secretary Chu’s contributions are a shining example that ACORE hopes will continue for years to come.

ACORE extends its thanks to Secretary Chu for his guidance at DOE and his service to the country.

About ACORE:
ACORE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to building a secure and prosperous America with clean, renewable energy. ACORE seeks to advance renewable energy through finance, policy, technology, and market development and is concentrating its member focus in 2012 on National Defense & Security, Power Generation & Infrastructure, and Transportation. Additional information is available at www.acore.org.

中華公所新年度會議要查總帳

董事李奇舜(左立者)向中華公所主席黃光野(後中)重申，他要求記錄上次會議中
各董事的發言時間及次數，以證明他並不是發言最多及最長者。他也稱讚黃光野
這次會議沒有打斷他發言。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所廿九日晚召開本年度第一次董事大會，議題不多，爭辯不少，第一次在反對、棄權票多達十四張，儼然無聲抗議的情況中，通過上一次會議記錄，也第一次出現董事要求查總帳狀況。

 董事謝中之(右)在會議中請教中華公所主席，會外有江湖大老為中華公所

的事找他，該怎麼辦。黃光野答稱，報警。(周菊子攝)

當晚在會議中，中華公所派發了「2013紐英崙華人社區僑團春宴一覽表」，請各僑團抽籤決定各自的中華公所春宴席次，撤銷了「董事擾亂會議行為紀律處份」提案，介紹約五名新董事，提醒各僑團代表一年至少六次的中華公所董事大會，不得缺席多於二次，還報告了望合墳場的更名、整修外觀計劃進展有變，說明龍岡親義公所主席鬧雙胞案，盼龍岡在三月底，中華公所下一次董事大會前，自行解決這一內部紛爭。

董事曹品慈強調他提紀律處分案，旨在促進董事開會時互相尊重的態度。(周菊子攝)

會議中的爭議之一，是中華公所主席黃光野宣佈，波士頓安良工商會必須和其他僑團一起抽籤，來決定該會今年在中華公所春宴中的席次，以示對該會在去年春宴時未邀請中華公所主席致詞，是不尊重表現的懲罰。波士頓安良工商會會長暨出席中華公所代表黃國健立即抗議，聲明該會近年簡化春宴儀式，未邀任何其他僑團首長致詞，只請經文處處長致詞純因處長為官職。黃國健認為，中華公所主席未經董事大會討論、通過，就自做主張，打破了安良工商會身為中華公所創會團體之一，和洪門致公堂一樣不須抽籤的傳統，反而是中華公所主席不尊重波士頓安良工商會的表現。

龍岡親義公所的劉碧枝(左起)、關麗莎、劉素嬋出席中華公所會議。(俞國梁攝)

各僑團出席中華公所董事中，有不少人是安良、洪門成員，部份人先後發言。黃國健其後在爭論中拂袖而去，並不知道中華公所後來保留了第十五號桌給安良工商會。

龍岡親義公所前任主席趙金歡(立者)要求中華公所承認她主持的選舉結果。

(俞國梁攝)

會議中的另一爭議，是董事李奇舜質問為何中華公所的上次會議記錄，未把他的公所應記錄各董事在會議中的發言時間長短，以及發言次數這要求，記錄在簿。他強調自己這一要求，是為證明他在公所會議中的發言時間及次數，並不比其他議員多，主席不應在他發言途中，打斷他。多名僑團董事，因此在通過上次會議記錄的投票中，分別以八張反對票，六張棄權票聲援李奇舜，造成少見的中華公所會議記錄有多人反對通過的記錄。

公所董事曹品慈的「議員擾亂行為紀律處份」提案，也引發不少討論。部份議員援引中華公所當晚派發的1998年10元27日會議記錄，以及公所章程第15條取消代表董事資格註明，指曹品慈的提案，內容重覆，並無必要。曹品慈強調，他的提案，旨在促進公所開會時的和平氣氛，只要達到促進董事們開會時彼此尊重的目的，案不成立，也無所謂。

至孝篤親公所董事陳文浩在會中質疑，中華公所僱員的2011年薪資僅為60,248元，為何2012年跳為96,216元，2013年的預算，再漲為98,000元。公所財政黃立輝解釋，2012年間發生時信樓居民因樓危被迫遷出，中華公所參與協助安頓，以及為因應麻州總檢察官辦公室的調查，整理文件工作浩繁，須付加班費等情況。董事蔡倩婷指出，中華公所董事為社區服務，全為義務性質，薪金支出一漲三萬多元，有查看總帳清單(ledger)的必要。黃立輝同意下次提交總帳。

中華公所主席黃光野當晚還在會中報告，已和麻州總檢察官辦公室接觸過，公所遭投訴一節，並無不合法處。有關整修望合墳場一事，紐英崙華人歷史協會改變說法，中華公所將繼續和波士頓市府及望合墳場管理處協商。

中華公所的本年度一月份董事大會，共有五名董事換人，分別為波士頓安良工商會由黃國健取代李天生，朱沛國堂由朱紹昌取代朱健威，余風采堂由余國華取代余景新，至孝篤親公所由陳仕維取代陳建立，紐英崙廣東同鄉會由蔡倩婷取代余麗媖。

中華公所主席黃光野表示，新年度僑團出席中華公所的年費為每人兩百元，出席的代表董事名單，應於三月三十一日前交齊，屆時可確任新年度的全體董事名單。

會末的僑團活動預報，包括華埠主街將於2月6至9日的一連四天，每天上午九點至下午五點，在華埠牌樓公園舉辦華埠迎春花市；2月9日上午十一點，在華埠牌樓公園舞獅，迎接蛇年。二月十七日(週日)上午十點至下午五點，華埠將有各武術團體舞獅，華埠華美銀行(68 Harrison Avenue)辦「新年文化村」，展字畫、寫揮春、捏麵人、擺放傳統工藝品。